Bentley Baseball Wins First NCAA Championship Game 11-2

The Bentley Falcons just proved that first impressions can be spectacular.

Playing in their first NCAA Championship game ever, the No. 10 Bentley baseball team crushed Goldey-Beacom 11-2 on Friday afternoon in Waltham, Massachusetts. The victory was more than just a win—it marked a historic milestone for a program making its tournament debut.

Pitcher Pat Heber set the tone on the mound, striking out nine batters over seven innings while allowing only two runs. His performance pushed his season record to a perfect 9-0, tying the school record for most wins in a single season.

But the real spark came from Jared Berardino, who has developed a flair for the dramatic this postseason. Just like he did when Bentley clinched its first Northeast 10 title, Berardino launched a home run in his very first at-bat to ignite the offense.

The Falcons trailed 2-1 after Berardino's blast, but they weren't finished. In the second inning, Jake Maydak and Jimmy Mitchell delivered back-to-back doubles to give Bentley a 3-2 lead they would never surrender.

Bentley poured it on in the fifth inning, adding three more runs to extend their advantage. Mitchell doubled off the wall, and the Falcons loaded the bases before Nick Pappas drove in a run with a deep sacrifice fly.

The seventh inning became a celebration. Brendan Sencaj delivered a clutch two-run single with the bases loaded and an 0-2 count, showing the kind of composure that defines championship teams. By the time the dust settled, Bentley had added five insurance runs.

The Ripple Effect

This win means everything for a program that had never even reached this stage before. The Falcons now face a best-of-three series against Wilmington University starting Saturday, with a chance to continue their Cinderella story.

For small Division II programs like Bentley, moments like these inspire entire athletic departments and student bodies. The team that had never won an NCAA tournament game is now two wins away from a regional championship.

Berardino finished 3-for-4 with three runs scored, while Sencaj drove in three runs on a 2-for-5 day. Mitchell added two hits in three at-bats, proving the Falcons' offense runs deep.

The best part? This team is just getting started.